“We would like to bottle everyone at Linley & Simpson and show them off to the rest of the corporate community as an exemplary case study of how to form a real partnership. Every single employee has been a credit.”

With a network of 11 branches across North and West Yorkshire – ranging from inner-city neighbourhoods to remote rural areas – last year marked the launch of the agency’s biggest programme of community support.

Director Will Linley said: “We do not just have a passion for letting and selling homes – we also share a passion for serving our community. So it is particularly rewarding for our efforts to be recognised with this award.

“Engaging positively with our local communities is at the heart of our business – from the launch of Give Back schemes to loyalty cards, we are always on the lookout for supporting people living and working in the areas where we are based.

By harnessing the expertise and enthusiasm of its 140 staff for the greater good, Linley & Simpson was able to raise over £26,000 for Martin House in just 12 months.

It did not matter if you could paddle, climb, run, or cycle there was an idea for an event inspired from within our staff talent pool for everyone, whatever their ability.

Will added: “By widening access in this way, everyone could participate – and help our communities in whatever way.

“We are delighted that our efforts have been recognised in a category that means so much to us – this award will spur us all on to take our programme of community support to even greater heights.”

Launching a ‘Give As You Earn’ scheme so employees donate a fixed sum from salary before tax to good causes

Rewarding schools and sports teams with a Give Back scheme

As part of the support programme, staff are also awarded one day of paid work time away from the office each year – the cost-equivalent of over £15,000 - to volunteer in the community.

For Martin House, this included rolling up their sleeves and helping the hospice to create its own wildlife garden – a much-needed haven of peace for quiet reflection and thought – as well as a host of other hands-on roles, such as working on the collection vans, staffing fundraising offices, and selling Christmas cards in supermarkets.

Suppliers also joined in the team’s journey – including the 20/20 challenge which saw us climb 20 of the Lake District’s toughest peaks, over 20 miles, in just over 13 hours, taking a route never attempted before.

This represented an ascent totalling 2,434 metres - the equivalent of almost two Ben Nevis mountain climbs.

Now in the 8th year, the Business Masters is staged by thebusinessdesk.com and celebrates corporate excellence across Yorkshire, attracting over 200 entries.

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